Mac OS X 10.4.3 (#7): More on Combo disk image not mounting, possible cause/solution; System hangs on first restart after update
More on Combo disk image not mounting -- possible cause/solution We continue to cover an issue where the Mac OS X 10.4.3 combo updater disk image fails to properly mounting, usually returning a checksum error.
It now appears that this problem may occur if your Mac OS X 10.4.x system does not have Security Update 2005-008 installed.
MacFixIt reader Keith Bumgarner writes:
"We noted this with systems that had a fresh install (from the drop-in DVD) of 10.4.0 w/no updates applied via Software Update, not even the applicable Java or security updates.
"If we ran the Java update as well as the sole security update available from Software Update and then downloaded the disk image combo updater for 10.4.3 the disk image mounted perfectly and ran well, both after a safe boot and without a safe boot. If we did not run the Java and security update the disk image would not mount and yielded an invalid checksum error each and every time, safe or normal boot.
"We did not run the QuickTime updates nor any application updates, just the Java and security update.
"We can recreate this 100% and have now done it 6 times, 3 times each on a PowerBook 15" and a QuickSilver G4. [...] While we have not run to ground what specific file or files from the Java or security update available to a fresh install of 10.4.0 that would cause the issue with the disk image the problem is definitely due to the fact that some file change, addition, or deletion from these updaters is making it possible for the 10.4.3 combo updater disk image to subsequently mount w/out a checksum error.
"We've also noted that this particular path to Mac OS X 10.4.3, as described above, has yielded the most stable configuration of Mac OS X 10.4.x to date, with many other problems disappearing. If the application and Quicktime updaters are run, along with the Java and security updates, prior to the application of the Mac OS X 10.4.3 combo updater the disk image mounts fine but the resulting Mac OS X 10.4.3 configuration is not nearly as stable and has intermittent miscellaneous issues."
So, if you are experiencing checksum errors with the Mac OS X 10.4.3 combo updater, make sure you have Security Update 2005-008 installed, and possibly Java update 1.4.2 2.0, then re-try mounting the combo updater image.
System hangs on first restart after update, solutions A significant number of users have reported indefinite stalls after restarting their newly updated Mac OS X 10.4.3 installation.
Note that the first restart after updating may be dramatically longer than usual. However, if your system stalls at the grey progress screen for more than 10 minutes, it may not ever continue the startup process.
In these cases, your first course of action should be force a restart, then hold down the "Shift" key in order to initiate a safe-boot. If your system properly starts in safe mode, look in the /System/Library/Extensions folder for any recently added third-party items that could be causing a conflict.
Also, try using a tool like Tiger Cache Cleaner or Cocktail to remove potentially corrupt system caches that could be impeding the startup process while you're booted in safe mode.
Next, try removing any external devices (FireWire, USB, etc.) that are connected to your system (note that we recommend disconnecting any of these devices during the update process in the first place.) After the devices are connected, try restarting your system to check for a proper boot. If the startup is successful, reconnect the devices one-by-one and check for a conflict.
Failing the above workarounds, you may need to perform an Archive and Install, reverting to Mac OS X 10.4.2 in the process.
Keyboard/mouse responsiveness A handful of users are reporting issues with keyboard and mouse responsiveness after the Mac OS X 10.4.3. One of the more common issues is a lack of key recognition, requiring the user to strike a key more than once for an appropriate response, or to generate a character on-screen.
Resolution settings lost on third-party displays, reverting resolves Yesterday we reported on an issue where resolution settings for some third-party displays are lost under Mac OS X 10.4.3. A handful of users have now reported that reverting to Mac OS X 10.4.2 restores the lost settings.
One reader writes:
"Reinstalled Mac OS X 10.4.2. The monitor resolution issue disappeared. All screen resolution choices were once again available. Installed the combo updater 10.4.3 on another bootable drive. Booted from said drive. Problem has reappeared. So, until there is a patch to fix this problem, I'm happily using Mac OS X 10.4.2."
Loss of entire Address Book database Some users have reported a loss of all Address Book content after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.3.
Dan Lepeska writes:
"The day after upgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.3 I was doing maintenance on my Address Book database. I was deleting multiple entries of addresses I created before the upgrade. Everything was going fine, but on one of the contact deletions I suddenly got the spinning wheel for over 10 minutes.
"When I tried Force Quit I noticed that Address Book, Mail, and Safari were "not responding". I confirmed Force Quit for Address Book and suddenly both Mail and Safari were responding. When I relaunched Address Book the entire database was gone. I had to restore from backup."
If you are having a similar issue, please let us know.
More on FireWire problems We continue to receive reports from readers who have lost all FireWire connectivity under Mac OS X 10.4.3.
Dave Mounce writes:
"I recently installed the Mac OS X 10.4.3 update on both my upgraded Blue and White G4 and my Dual USB iBook. My Blue and White no longer mounts my OWC firewire drive whereas my iBook does (thankfully!). I tried fixing permissions which didn't work and then I noticed under my Network Ports window that my firewire port is now grayed out. I would be more worried if the firewire drive didn�t mount on the iBook as that holds all my company�s work/production files."
For several workarounds to this issue, see yesterday's coverage.
Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.
Previous coverage
- Mac OS X 10.4.3 (#6): Combo updater disk image fails to mount; FireWire devices (including iPods) not mounting/recognized; more
- Mac OS X 10.4.3 (#5): More on excessive fan activity; Command-Tab application switching may swell log files; more
- Mac OS X 10.4.3 (#4): What to do if you have an incomplete update; Fan problems (continued); Disk Utility problems; more
- Mac OS X 10.4.3 (#3): More on increased fan activity; Motion sensor on some PowerBooks/iBooks no longer recognized; more
- Mac OS X 10.4.3 (#2): First restart may be longer than usual; General purpose fixes (try these first); Mail 2.0.5 issues; more
- Apple releases Mac OS X 10.4.3 (client and server editions), update recommendations
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hold down the "Shift" key in order to initiate a safe-boot. If your system properly
starts in safe mode, look in the /System/Library/Extensions folder for any
recently added third-party items that could be causing a conflict.
Also, try using a tool like Tiger Cache Cleaner or Cocktail to remove potentially
corrupt system caches that could be impeding the startup process while you're
booted in safe mode. </i>
Doesn't Safe Boot in Tiger now automatically clear all caches? Or does it not do
them all?
As far as I know, a Safe Boot in Tiger trashes only the font cache files. As Ted Landau says in a Macfixit article from June 16 2005:
"It moves to the Trash the font caches files (just the ones for the logged in user) stored in a folder in /Library/Caches/com.apple.ATS/. As damaged cache files, especially font cache files, are a known cause of startup crashes, this again can bypass the problem....By the way, the removed cache files remain in the Trash after startup is over. So you can save them, examine them and even reinstall them should you wish to do so. Just drag them out of the Trash before it gets emptied. In almost all cases, however, I would not bother with this. Just delete the files and let Mac OS X create new default (uncorrupted) cache files -- especially if the Safe Boot succeeded in getting your Mac to start up."
Also, Safe Boot doesn't use the cache of kernel extensions used to speed startup, at /System/Library/Extensions.kextcache. However, it doesn't trash them.
TiPB 800MHz (X.3.9). Then I bought a PB/DL 1.67GHz 15" and suddenly couldn't
use it at all. After some experimentation I found that the off-white laminated
desk at work was suddenly the problem -- when I took the mouse and
powerbook home they again worked flawlessly on my faux mahogany particle
board plastic desk. One Scooby-Doo mouse pad fixed the issue.
The keys are a different story. For me it is every other F-Key that seems to skip.
Regular keys do not seem to be a problem.
- by John Sawyer November 8, 2005 10:29 PM PST
- One thing that often lets the Mac finish the first startup after an OS X update, if it hangs, is to unplug the Ethernet cable, if one is plugged into your Mac.
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